You may have seen the recent page one Wall Street Journal article describing how DC powerbrokers are now using their contacts and influence to flog the interests of some decidedly dodgy characters from the former Soviet Union.

Buried in this can of worms is an interesting connection to a former executive of a DC-area investigative firm. One of the DC power brokers listed as a door-opener for the dubious is Neil C. Livingstone, security expert, founder and former chief executive of investigative firm, GlobalOptions (Livingstone departed GlobalOptions in January '07).

Livingstone is mentioned in the article as being a key individual who helped arrange high-powered counsel (former FBI Directory William Sessions) and broker a potential deal for Semyon Mogilevich, whereby the notorious Ukrainian organized crime figure might be able to avoid prosecution in exchange for offering helpful information to the U.S. government.

Such a deal has, so far, been rejected, given the pending 45 counts of racketeering and money laundering Mogilevich is facing in Philadelphia - not to mention the Justice Department's ongoing probe of billions of dollars worth of questionable oil and gas deals...

The ties between Livingstone and Mogilevich apparently go back several years. Records would seem to indicate that GlobalOptions, under Livingstone did some work for a Cyprus-based firm called Highrock Holdings, of which Mogilevich was a major shareholder. Exactly what kind of work is disputed, but it is known that GlobalOptions later filed suit in DC District Court over unpaid bills (the suit was abandoned, but not withdrawn when the bill was paid).

An intriguing thread to tease out of a very interesting story.

If you want to know what you government officials are up to you can check out the WSJ article here (with subscription) or via Eurasia.org.

Labels: Former Soviet Union, GlobalOptions, influence, lobbying, money laundering, Neil C. Livingstone, organized crime